Geena Rocero and Jose Antonio Vargas to join Unity March in Washington, DC, on June 25

by PDM NEWS STAFF

Geena Rocero and Jose Antonio Vargas Facebook Photos | PDM Composite Photo

NEW YORK — Filipino American trans rights advocate Geena Rocero and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist will join the first-ever Unity March on June 25, 2022, at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between 4th Street and 7th Street starting at noon to push for change that allows equitable opportunities for all communities.

R&B/Pop artist Thuy, award-winning producer, civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton, and NYC-based hate crime survivor Esther Lee will also coalesce with more than 40 nonprofits, including Asian American Advancing Justice – AAJC, Gold House, Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund—in urging AAPI communities and their allies to advance the Unity March Equity Platform. The platform is a critical stepping stone to ensuring equitable representation and rights for all. 

“Asian American communities have been disproportionately plagued by widespread violence, racism and xenophobia that runs rampant across American society,” said Tiffany Chang, a Unity March spokesperson. “It’s time for our nation’s leaders to stop offering band-aid solutions to longstanding systemic issues by advancing adequate, sustainable policies that drive long-term positive impact for our communities.”

“The truth is, when we are not safe, we cannot advance towards the promise of a more perfect union, where racial and economic justice, cultural equity, and full participation in democracy is possible,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director at APIAVote, “The Unity March will push for change that allows all people equitable access to these opportunities to thrive.”

Unity March, and multicultural partners representing the intersection of Asian American, LGBTQ+, Muslim, disability communities, Black, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, Latinx, and Arab communities, will be uniting to demand progress toward achieving its Equity Platform, which calls for:

  • Full Participation in Democracy, meaning a pathway to citizenship for undocumented members and long-term visa holders, access to voting, and civic power for traditionally disenfranchised citizens, especially people of color and historically under-resourced communities.
  • Racial and Economic Justice, including holding the public and private sectors accountable for investing in workers’ rights and providing equal access to financial empowerment for small businesses, entrepreneurs of color, and women.
  • Cultural Equity and Media Representation that promotes more diverse, authentic narratives and fights harmful stereotypes so we can create culturally dynamic, equitable, and inclusive schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

“It’s an honor for me to be able to be a part of this momentous event. Thank you to the organizers for bringing together our community. I’m so proud to be Vietnamese American and to come from immigrant parents who have taught me to be resilient and to use my voice to advocate for what’s right and what I’m passionate about,” said Thuy, R&B/Pop artist.

“I am a very proud transgender Filipina. I find my power rooted in the resilience of my ancestors and my lived experience. It is a huge honor to be in the community – to be with family – for this historic Unity March,” said Geena Rocero, award-winning producer, trans rights activist, and model.

Due to unprecedented times, Unity March organizations have implemented Covid-19 guidelines.

The Unity March is the first Asian American-led call to action to fight against systemic oppression and the systems that stand in the way of full participation by all. We march because we believe every single person in the country must have a voice in our local, state, and federal governments. And that a fair society and economy values and protects workers, asserting all workers’ rights to dignity and security regardless of industry, citizenship, and/or employment status. We exist to tell our own diverse and authentic stories and disrupt harmful narratives.

–With Jay Domingo/PDM 

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